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Thursday, August 30, 2007

Budget Woes


Writing a budget is not my favorite thing to do. Unlike some people, it is not sticking to the budget that is a problem (though the amount of money allotted to me in the budget may rub me the wrong way, I'm still fairly able to stick to it), no, it is rather the ACT of writing a budget that really irks me. I don't much understand it, really. Aside from saving every single receipt I get, and spending hours in front of a spreadsheet, there is really no good way to go about it. Everything else is just guessing.
Plus, who honestly spends the same amount month-to-month? I know it is supposed to all "even out in the wash" over time, but the stress of watching myself go drastically over one month, and then steadily slightly under the next five- in my effort to make up for that one month- is just too much for me.
Perhaps it is the entire story that really gets me. I could tell you roughly how much I spend a week on groceries, gas, and what my rent costs, but can I get close enough to stake my entire budget on it? I don't know...what if this week I needed lots of condiments? (things you only buy a few times a year) but last week I only really needed milk? Do I find a happy medium? You can sense my dilema here.
So here is my preference. I want hubby to watch our finances and come up with a schedule of what we typically spend, he likes that stuff anyways. Then I want him to lay it all out nice and easy for me so that I can look it over, pretend I totally understand, nod my head and go on my merry way with what I would affectionately term an "allowance" for what I can spend on groceries, myself, and him (as I inevitably buy his clothes as well as my own) each month.
Is this wrong? I have no ambitions of being a 1950's wifey with no clue as to what is going on, I'd like to be kept aprised of the situation...however how much I am actually involved is not really of any concern to me. I'd just be happy to spend the money...

6 comments:

Bradi said...

Amen sister!
From one "clueless" Target-shopaholic to another I totally understand.
(and love your honesty)
=)
...I just wait until hubby starts asking what I needed at Target 3 diff. times that week. hee hee.
oops.

Bradi said...

p.s. RG was looking at your blog with me today and said "Oh! Mr. Whitker...he's silly on the toilet!" LOL

Sam Williamson said...

We decided on a more "lazy" approach to budget, meaning that we set a budget for a month and then went back and adjusted. It took a few months but now we rarely have to look at the budget because we more (or less) follow it. It's kinda nice once you get used to it though.

Tim and Nancy said...

You so need Dave Ramsey. ( :

Allison said...

I am right there with you! Except lately I have had to give Dan an allowance! LOL! Hey quick question...Can Andy bring those shorts up north this weekend? I think he needs to show Dan a thing or two about fashion! (JK!) I really like them though! I am so excited about this weekend :)

Brenda said...

We took a 14-week Dave Ramsey class and it was well worth it. It'd be a lie to say we stick to the plan 100%, but it sure gave us some new insight regarding our 'attitude' towards money and great plan for erasing nearly all debt (with great investments).

Good luck with your "Andy Ramsey" budget...keep us updated!!